Why estate planning matters more than you think with Susan Bonnici

Why estate planning matters more than you think with Susan Bonnici

Estate planning is one of those things we all know we should do… but many of us keep putting it off. The problem? When estate planning goes wrong, the consequences can be deeply personal. Families stop speaking. Loved ones are left to make difficult decisions without guidance. Vulnerable people can be left unprotected. And disputes that could have been avoided end up costing families emotionally and financially. In this episode of Money and a Good Life, we sit down with Susan Bonnici, Principal Estate Planning Lawyer at Aitken Partners, to unpack what estate planning really involves — and why it's about so much more than simply deciding who gets what. Susan has spent her entire legal career helping families navigate everything from straightforward Wills to highly complex estate planning arrangements. As both a lawyer and mother of a child with a disability, she's seen firsthand the importance of planning ahead, particularly for families caring for vulnerable loved ones. We explore the difference between estate and non-estate assets, why Wills are increasingly being challenged, and the practical steps families can take now to reduce conflict and create certainty for the people they care about most. This conversation is a timely reminder that estate planning isn't really about death — it's about protecting the people you love.  In this episode, we cover: * Why estate planning is about much more than "who gets what"  * The role family dynamics play in estate planning  * Protecting vulnerable family members and children with disabilities  * The difference between estate and non-estate assets  * Common mistakes people make with Wills and superannuation  * Why more Wills are being contested — and how to reduce the risk  * Proposed changes to trust taxation and what they may mean  * Key terms every adult should understand, including probate and powers of attorney  * The importance of planning before a crisis occurs Here's to your Good Life. And thanks for listening. You can find us at https://www.tribecafinancial.com.au/ [https://www.tribecafinancial.com.au/]  Our guest:  Susan Bonnici Connect with Susan on LinkedIn here [file://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-bonnici-41274013b/] Visit Aitken Partners website here [file://www.aitken.com.au/] Our hosts:  Ryan Watson, CEO, Tribeca Financial   Connect with Ryan here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/r-watson/]  Stephanie Coombes, podcast expert and media strategist  Connect with Steph here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-coombes-62903825/]  Tribeca Collective Pty Ltd, ABN 54 604 005 209 trading as Tribeca Financial has been appointed as a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No.1008603) of My Dedicated Advisory. My Good Life ® is a registered trademark of Tribeca Collective Pty Ltd.   Advice given in this podcast is general in nature and is not intended to influence decisions about investing or financial products. Our listeners should always seek their own professional advice that considers their own personal circumstances before making any financial decisions.  Tribeca Financial acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present.

Goals, plans and everything in between with Mike Larkan

We all like to think life follows a bit of a plan. You build something over time. You find your rhythm. You get comfortable with where things are heading. And then, sometimes, life shifts. Not always in a dramatic way, but enough to make you rethink what comes next.  In this episode, Mike Larkan shares the story behind a life that’s been anything but linear. From decades in television to building something new, his experience is less about a single turning point and more about how everything adds up over time.  We talk about: * How short-term decisions shape the bigger picture * The balance between planning ahead and living in the moment * What happens when your identity is tied to your work * How major life events can shift your perspective * What “enough” looks like  and how that can change over time * Why some of the most important decisions aren’t purely financial It’s a conversation about perspective, adaptability and the long game, not just in money, but in life. Here's to your Good Life. And thanks for listening. You can find us at https://www.tribecafinancial.com.au/ [https://www.tribecafinancial.com.au/]  Our guest:  Mike Larkan Follow Mike on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/mikelarkan/ [https://www.instagram.com/mikelarkan/] Visit Mike’s website: Mike Larkan Celebrant Melbourne [https://mikelarkan.com.au/] Our hosts:  Ryan Watson, CEO, Tribeca Financial   Follow Ryan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/r-watson/  Stephanie Coombes, podcast expert and media strategist  Follow Steph: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-coombes-62903825/   Tribeca Collective Pty Ltd, ABN 54 604 005 209 trading as Tribeca Financial has been appointed as a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No.1008603) of My Dedicated Advisory. My Good Life ® is a registered trademark of Tribeca Collective Pty Ltd.   Advice given in this podcast is general in nature and is not intended to influence decisions about investing or financial products. Our listeners should always seek their own professional advice that considers their own personal circumstances before making any financial decisions.  Tribeca Financial acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present.

What happens when you hire a private investigator with Richard James

When you think of a private investigator, you probably picture stakeouts, disguises and scenes straight out of a crime drama. The reality is far less glamorous, and far more interesting. In this episode of Money and a Good Life, we sit down with Richard James, Director and Principal Investigator of RIVICA Investigations & Covert Solutions. With more than 30 years of experience across UK law enforcement, Australian anti-corruption agencies and private investigations, Richard has seen it all. We explore what private investigators actually do, when people seek their help, and how evidence is gathered legally and ethically. Richard shares insights into everything from workplace fraud and surveillance to digital privacy, counter-surveillance and the realities of modern investigations. Along the way, we discuss what happens when evidence is obtained unlawfully, the emotional challenges clients face when seeking answers, and what decades of investigating human behaviour has taught Richard about trust. Whether you're curious about the profession, concerned about privacy, or simply fascinated by human nature, this conversation offers a rare glimpse into a world most of us only see on television.  In this episode, we cover: * What private investigators really do (and what TV gets wrong)  * The types of cases that lead people to hire an investigator  * Why ethics and legality are critical in investigations  * Workers' compensation fraud and workplace investigations  * Digital privacy, mobile phones and encrypted messaging apps  * Counter-surveillance and signs someone may be monitoring you  * What makes a great investigator  * Lessons about trust, deception and human behaviour  * What to do if you suspect something isn't right  * The realities and costs of hiring a private investigator Here's to your Good Life. And thanks for listening. You can find us at https://www.tribecafinancial.com.au/ [https://www.tribecafinancial.com.au/]  Our guest:  Richard James, Director and Principal Investigator of RIVICA Investigations & Covert Solutions  Connect with Richard: Richard James | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rivicaiacs/]  Visit Richard’s website website: Private Investigator Melbourne | RIVICA Investigations [https://rivica.com.au/?srsltid=AfmBOoqLG0J-DJoqQkFjQwsuXHsxk64KmN70_l8kuyB0rWSZsrF59ZZv] Our hosts:  Ryan Watson, CEO, Tribeca Financial   Follow Ryan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/r-watson/  Stephanie Coombes, podcast expert and media strategist  Follow Steph: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-coombes-62903825/   Tribeca Collective Pty Ltd, ABN 54 604 005 209 trading as Tribeca Financial has been appointed as a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No.1008603) of My Dedicated Advisory. My Good Life ® is a registered trademark of Tribeca Collective Pty Ltd.   Advice given in this podcast is general in nature and is not intended to influence decisions about investing or financial products. Our listeners should always seek their own professional advice that considers their own personal circumstances before making any financial decisions.  Tribeca Financial acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present.

Retirement planning beyond the numbers with Brad Fox

For most people, the one thing they worry about in retirement is money. Have I saved enough? Can I afford to stop working? When can I access my super? But what if that's the wrong place to start? In this episode of Money & a Good Life, Steph and Ryan sit down with Brad Fox Managing Director of Smart Brave Consulting, Chairman of Tribeca Financial, and one of the most respected voices in Australia's financial services industry to rethink what retirement actually means. Brad believes retirement is a phase of life that raises big questions about identity, purpose, time, and meaning. And while the money matters, the mindset matters more. What we talk about: * What retirement is actually about beyond "the moment you stop working" * Why starting with a narrow financial definition is limiting and sometimes harmful * How retirement looks wildly different depending on the person * Why there's no single "right" version of retirement * What separates people who thrive in later life from those who struggle * Odyssey Planning—a tool developed at Stanford for approaching retirement * Why Odyssey Planning is so powerful for this life transition * The process of imagining three different five-year futures * Why prototyping your retirement is better than locking into one big irreversible decision * Why engaging imagination is an important and often missing part of retirement planning * Factors beyond finances that create a "good" retirement * Why longevity and happiness aren't just about money * Autonomy, contribution, and growth as major drivers of wellbeing * How people keep learning and growing once their career stops structuring their lives If you've been thinking about retirement purely through a financial lens, this conversation will challenge you to think bigger about purpose, identity, and what you actually want the next chapter to look like. Here's to your Good Life. And thanks for listening. You can find us at https://www.tribecafinancial.com.au/ [https://www.tribecafinancial.com.au/]  Our guest:  Brad Fox, Chairman Tribeca Financial, Managing Director Smart Brave Consulting  Connect with Brad: linkedin.com/in/bradfox1 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradfox1]  Visit Brad’s website: smartbraveconsulting.com [http://www.smartbraveconsulting.com/]  Our hosts:  Ryan Watson, CEO, Tribeca Financial   Follow Ryan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/r-watson/  Stephanie Coombes, podcast expert and media strategist  Follow Steph: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-coombes-62903825/   Tribeca Collective Pty Ltd, ABN 54 604 005 209 trading as Tribeca Financial has been appointed as a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No.1008603) of My Dedicated Advisory. My Good Life ® is a registered trademark of Tribeca Collective Pty Ltd.   Advice given in this podcast is general in nature and is not intended to influence decisions about investing or financial products. Our listeners should always seek their own professional advice that considers their own personal circumstances before making any financial decisions.  Tribeca Financial acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present.

Feeling safe with money again with Bec Allan

Have you ever noticed that you can do everything right with money but still feel like you're getting nowhere? You do the budgets. You save. You try to be disciplined. And yet, somehow, it still feels hard. Like you're second-guessing yourself. So what's going on? In this episode of Money & a Good Life, Steph and Ryan welcome back Bec Allan—money coach and mortgage broker who works with people who aren't necessarily bad with money, but feel stuck, overwhelmed, or quietly stressed about it, even when things look fine on paper. Bec explores why money can feel so difficult, especially when the world feels uncertain, and what we can actually change to make things feel easier. What we talk about: * Bec's story from earlier in life, when she was pregnant with her daughter * Whether Bec is seeing more money anxiety at the moment * Why behaviour matters more than knowledge for most people * How people can have the best budget in the world and still not follow it * What financial safety actually feels like * How to stay calm when things feel out of control * Making money feel simpler when it usually feels complicated and overwhelming * Where to start if you want to strip things back * One habit or shift that tends to have the biggest impact for clients If you're doing the "right" things financially but still feel stressed, anxious, or like you're getting nowhere, this conversation will help you understand why, and what to do about it. Here's to your Good Life. And thanks for listening. Find us at www.tribecafinancial.com.au Our guest: Bec Allan, Mortgage Broker and Money Coach Connect with Bec on LinkedIn  [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bec-allan-b2653690/] Follow Bec on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/iambecallan/] Visit Chamberlain & Co’s website [https://www.chamberlainandco.com/]  Our hosts:   Ryan Watson, CEO, Tribeca Financial   Connect with Ryan on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/r-watson/]  Stephanie Coombes, podcast expert and media strategist   Connect with Steph on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-coombes-62903825/] Tribeca Collective Pty Ltd, ABN 54 604 005 209 trading as Tribeca Financial has been appointed as a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No.1008603) of My Dedicated Advisory. My Good Life ® is a registered trademark of Tribeca Collective Pty Ltd.   Advice given in this podcast is general in nature and is not intended to influence decisions about investing or financial products. Our listeners should always seek their own professional advice that considers their own personal circumstances before making any financial decisions.   Tribeca Financial acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present.